Those Three Little Naps.

 Those Three Little Naps.

 

Think those naps were well needed, to tell the truth. Or maybe it was just the absolute best laziness to strike around here in a while. Whatever the reason, the old woman is feeling somewhat more ornery now. Just went out and gave the girls fresh water. The dadgummed wild birds have been eating the fruits of the hackberry trees—little yellow peeled seeds that make a complete mess when semi-digested by the birds that eat them. Then they are so thirsty that they have to have plenty of water. Don’t think they were bathing in the water this time. Can’t imagine chewing on those hackberry seeds and then being able to get rid of the seeds. Tried eating some when we were kids. Yuck and stuff. We knew better than to eat Chinaberries, but Hackberries were supposedly starvation savers for the Indians according to what we had read in some book. Oh, and my name was Little Beaver. Daddy was Big Beaver! Oh! The silly memories!

 

Got up early this morning and cooked some bacon and thought about making biscuits and gravy. Got the bacon done before a text came in saying the kids were on their way and that we were going out for breakfast. So, to IHOP it was. Had French toast without anything else because a pot of coffee in my coffee maker is about three normal cups—which had already been consumed! Lance had some French toast with blueberries, and Jennifer had eggs, sausage, and gravy with hash browns. Anyway, a good breakfast with very few folks around us. Early morning in this town is quite pleasant.

 

The girls left six eggs in the nests for me to pick up this afternoon. Did not have quite a dozen to send home with Lance. Jennifer got eggs last weekend and another 17 went to Anne’s house for Lesli and her family on Monday. Talked to the hens, but could not get them to give me that one more egg to fill up a carton of 18. Ah, such is the life of a chicken farmer. [joking about being a farmer]

 

My kids came so that they could go see their aunt and cousin. Anne is mostly sleeping. The meds they are giving her are keeping her comfortable. That’s about the best anyone could ask for under the circumstances. Not sure just how much time Lesli is able to spend with her during the day. She has two little boys and one high school age big-little man who is already taller than Les! He is probably a good brother sitter. And the boys have Snoop the dog and Little Girl the cat to love on. Think Snoop is going to Chicago with them eventually. Little Girl is going to South Texas with Erin. Some things are hard, and this is one of them.

 

Had to move my desk last night because Sylvia managed to get between my desk and the wall and got wrapped up in the cord to the computer. She had it nearly off the desk before yours truly could catch it. Dadgum! That would have been a disaster! Anyway, had no idea why my body hurt so badly this morning until Lance pointed at the desk and asked when it was moved—it was not in the same place as last Saturday. It then was pointed out to me that moving furniture was a no no. Ah. So, that’s what did it!

 

The grass is growing pretty wild. The firemen came this morning to check the fire plug and just about couldn’t find it. Wish they had brought their weed eater! Guess maybe an old woman will have to ask the boys to work that area over with their weed whacker! My yard is not quite ready for mowing, but some places just grow faster than others—especially since the hens can’t get to the front yard. The “flower bed” in front needs a bunch of crab grass removed, and then there is that horrible khaki grass! That stuff is the bane of a barefoot or any critter that gets near it. Jennifer bought a stick thing that will dig it out by the root, but the knee and the back have to be employed in that pursuit. Not an easy job. Willing to pay to have it removed, but the removal has to include ALL of it or it is useless to even get most of it. One plant is all it takes to spread all over heck and half of Georgia. Someone said that goats like it. Anyone have a friendly spare goat? Have just read up on the kinds of “flowers” that are poisonous to goats! Wow! I knew about larkspur and lupine, but some of the others are just insane—and very poisonous. Khaki weed is not one of them, but those stupid Star of Bethlehem need to come out of the ground. Dang it. They are spread in mostly one area, however.

 

The city tax appraiser came through the neighborhood taking pictures the other day. Can just bet that my taxes are about to go up a hundred percent. The double wide across the street might be considered good housing by the city, but the rest of the neighborhood—well, the one down on the corner reminds me of a city dump. The one behind me is somewhat the same, but the one across the street from it has bloomed into a trash dump with canvas covering a frame surrounded by boxes of crud with a deer stand looking trailer behind that. We shall see what happens when the taxes actually come out.

 

Got kinda tickled at Lance today. He looked around the living room and wanted to know what happened to the couch. Giggling. Started to tell him the dogs ate it, but knew he would not believe that. It was way too long for the room, and the dogs absolutely would not stay off of it. Keeping it covered and the covers clean was a major hoopla, too. Anyway, Faith Mission was happy to remove it for me.

 

Thompson just informed me that it was his supper time. He and Sylvia always have some food in their bowls, but it has to be something special early and late. They share a can of wet food or some of my cooking. Lately they got to have some beef that was chopped up and mixed with Brussel sprouts and carrots. The old woman enjoyed it anyway. The dogs will eat it when it is in my hand. Sigh

 

Can you believe we really need a good three-day soaking rain of enough volume to fill up a stock tank? Folks have been digging out their tanks and trying to prepare for hurricane (wet) season. God help us if we don’t get some rain soon. The heat is still with us and everything that is growing now will be dry and ready to burn if we don’t get rain and lots of it. The lake just stinks to high heaven! Horrible, stanky, yucky, enough to puke a maggot off a gut wagon! Dead fish and septic tank stink! That is Lake Wichita! Living by it can be pretty at times, but the smell can just about knock your socks off right now. This is semi-normal for hot, dry weather. The pelicans can’t eat all those fish, but they are certainly trying. Of course, they leave their own stinky stuff wherever they roost or roam around the edges. Kinda figure Skip McBride might know about that stuff. He lives on the other side across in Archer County.

 

Wish the old woman had the energy and elasticity of muscles to work in this yard. Maybe next year will be better and the aches and pains won’t be so easily stirred up. Not sure if the hens will get to stay with me if the city keeps coming around. They are so picky about some things, but never say anything unless it is about high grass or something that can be taxed. The guy that got arrested for sheltering his “girl” friend repossess cars, horse trailers, cotton trailers, motorcycles, and such and just parks them out in the street on Lake View. No biggie, maybe, but sometimes drama ensues when folks feel that he should give them back. Not even sure if he is still in the jail, however. Not much telling. So many people come and go in that house that it is impossible to discern who or how many really live there.

 

Someone mentioned all the sketchy people wandering the streets of WF. Seems none of the ones that used to live in the State Hospital are there any longer. They only have the criminally insane over at the hospital now. The ones that hallucinate and are otherwise mentally unstable are just out wandering the streets. Sad.

 

Tried to call my friend Roger the other day and his phone did not connect. Maybe he got tired of being at the beck and call of too many folks. Knew he would be able to tell me what size hose to buy for my compressor, but finally got in touch with Stephen’s wife who said HIS phone was left at home. Bought the hose, but kept the receipt in case it was the wrong size. Harbor Freight is a great store in my estimation. It may all be Chinese or Vietnamese, but at least the price is decent for the most part.

 

Watched Hercule Poirot on TV the other evening. Had not seen one of those in a long time. Very enjoyable. May try that again this evening after the birds are up for the night. Had forgotten how much mindless entertainment could relax a person.

 

All of you know that only God can give us peace of mind or peace in this world, so will ask you to include those who, like Anne and her family, truly need His blessings of peace. Thank you for caring for her and her children.

 

Rest well, enjoy the beauty around us. You are loved.